The Wildbirch Hotel - JDV by Hyatt
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Local artwork, curated in partnership with the nearby Anchorage Museum, is on display throughout the hotel's public areas and guest rooms.
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Canteen, the in-house coffee and provisions shop, sells locally roasted coffee and handcrafted souvenirs.
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The well-laid-out rooms feature retro minifridges, Illy espresso machines, and headboards carved with topographical maps pinpointing the summit of Denali.
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All-day restaurant Crimson provides a genuine taste of Alaska with dishes like reindeer hash, seafood stew, and seared scallops, complemented by local craft brews and spirits.
As I sipped my Puffin Pale Ale from the terrace of Crimson, The Wildbirch Hotel 's all-day restaurant, a moose wandered into view. With each sip, the giant animal seemed to creep closer. The bartender calmly suggested I finish my beer indoors as a precaution. Alaska is truly wild—even in downtown Anchorage—but this hotel, part of the JdV by Hyatt portfolio, offers a cocoon of comfort right in the heart of it all.
As the city’s first new lodging option in two decades, The Wildbirch Hotel gives visitors a reason to spend a few days exploring Anchorage before heading off to more far-flung adventures . Its cool-kid status landed it on Travel + Leisure 's 2026 It List , celebrating the best newly opened hotels.
Nothing about the hotel feels cookie-cutter, as it exudes a sense of place. The front desk, for example, is crafted from fly rod cases, while hand-painted salmon taxidermy by local artist Romney Dobb hangs on the walls. The building was originally opened in 1916 as Hotel Anchorage and, most recently, was the Aviator Hotel before it received a serious glow-up from co-owners Mark Begich, former U.S. senator and mayor of Anchorage, and Sheldon Fisher, former Alaska revenue commissioner. The renovation is a harbinger of the revitalization going on in downtown Anchorage.
The Wildbirch is as much a community hub as it is a basecamp for visiting adventurers. When I arrived in the lobby, people sipped coffee and worked on laptops by the roaring fire. Happy hour was just getting underway at Crimson, where barstools were already filling up. Soon, both the restaurant's bar and patio drew a local crowd, clearly enjoying the menu, heavy on fresh seafood and light bites. Yet it's also obvious that the hotel knows its out-of-town audience. One morning, I had a 7 a.m. pick-up for a kayak excursion at Chugach State Park, and I was delighted that breakfast service was already underway at Crimson to accommodate early morning adventurers. There’s also a grab-and-go food station near the front desk and pastry options at Canteen, the in-house coffee and provisions shop.
Below, my full review of The Wildbirch Hotel - JDV by Hyatt.
The Rooms
The hotel's 252 guest rooms feature plenty of local references, such as headboards carved with topographical maps pinpointing the summit of Denali, as well as practical touches like Illy espresso makers, mini fridges, and charging outlets. Alaska-based artist Ted Kim is responsible for the whimsical art hanging on the walls. Urban suites come with a kitchenette and a connecting room with a Murphy bed.
I settled into a cozy King Bed Portside room on the top floor. (Portside-facing rooms tend to be a bit quieter than those that face downtown.) The smart layout made it feel way more spacious than its 311 square feet: I had a reading chair and a small work area where I could set up my laptop. The bathroom was stocked with cozy bathrobes and Jonathan Adler toiletries.
Food and Drink
The hotel's all-day restaurant, Crimson, already has a dedicated local clientele, thanks to hearty Alaskan dishes such as reindeer hash and crab omelet. In the summer, the patio is the place to grab lunch and soak in views of Mount Susitna and Cook Inlet, while enjoying a menu of crowd pleasers like beer-battered halibut and chips, and a salmon sandwich. Dinner is a mix of shareables, like nachos topped with bison bites, brick-oven pizzas, and elevated entrees, such as seared Alaska scallops with cannellini beans and heirloom tomatoes.
Don't sleep on the craft cocktails, either. The large, low-lit bar and bar seating area attract a lively, happy-hour crowd who come for signature drinks like the crimson fire, crafted with fireweed-infused vodka from Alaskan Spirits. Check out the calendar for weekly events like bourbon tastings and nightcap pairings.
Undertap, a craft brewery and tasting room from Anchorage’s Midnight Sun Brewing Co, is also set to debut by May 1.
Accessibility
The hotel's entrance has a ramp, and the building has an elevator. Accessible rooms are available in king and double-queen bed configurations, with features such as roll-in showers and accessible tubs.
How to Book
The hotel is part of the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Members can earn points to redeem for free nights and experiences, and receive perks like exclusive rates, room upgrades, and more.
Nightly rates at The Wildbirch Hotel - JDV by Hyatt start from $179.
Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values .
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